Crown fork supported bicycle carrier

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a bicycle carrier having a support mast, an elongate support member extending from the support mast, and a cradle disposed along the elongate support member. The cradle is for receiving a fork crown of a bicycle. The cradle includes a first hook member extending angularly relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongate support member and a second hook member extending angularly relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongate support member. The first hook member and the second hook member are spaced-apart so as to allow the fork crown to be received by the cradle. A head tube of the bicycle is disposed between the first hook member and the second hook member. The first hook member and the second hook member are disposed between fork tubes of the bicycle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/004,748 filed Jan. 11, 2011 which itself is application is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/453,095filed Jun. 15, 2006 which itself is a continuation-in-part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/782,174 filed Feb. 20, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a bicycle carrier and, in particular,to a vehicle mounted bicycle carrier having a cradle for engaging a forkcrown of a bicycle.

2. Description of the Related Art

Bicycles are often transported between locations on carriers attached tovehicles. In many cases, these carriers include an arm or cradle that atop tube of a bicycle rests on or in, to support the bicycle. However,women's bicycles and many newer non-traditional frames, especially fullsuspension mountain bikes, do not have a top tube. As a result, thesetypes of bicycles cannot be directly mounted on such carriers.

Several bicycle carrier designs aim to overcome this problem. One suchdesign places the bicycle on top of the vehicle by removing the frontwheel of the bicycle and clamping the carrier to the exposed ends of thebicycle fork. Problems with this design include the hassle associatedwith removing the front wheel, and the need to store the wheelelsewhere. Also the bicycle needs to be lifted up high and placed on topof the vehicle. Another carrier design incorporates a surrogate toptube, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,435,523 to Hilk issued Aug. 20,2002, whereby a tube is attached to the handlebars and seat post of abicycle. The bicycle and attached tube is then affixed to the bicyclecarrier. This design requires the user to attach the device to thebicycle in two different places, and then to attach the device to thebicycle carrier, adding greatly to the amount of time needed to attachthe bicycle to the vehicle. Yet other carrier designs carry a bicyclebehind a vehicle via cradles in which the bicycle wheels sit. This styleof bicycle carrier is generally large, complicated, and cumbersome,especially those which carry a plurality of bicycles. Another commondesign of hitch mounted bicycle carriers simply stacks the bicycles on afork or similar structure, requiring the removal of the outermostbicycles to access the innermost bicycles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle mountablebicycle carrier capable of carrying any bicycle regardless of its framedesign.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a vehiclemountable bicycle carrier which is easy to use.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a vehiclemountable bicycle carrier which carries one or more bicycles withoutremoving any part of any bicycle.

It is still further object of the present invention to provide a vehiclemountable bicycle carrier which carries a plurality of bicycles and doesnot require the removal of any bicycle to access another bicycle.

It is yet still a further another object of the present invention toprovide a vehicle mountable bicycle carrier which is not overly complexand cumbersome.

There is accordingly provided a bicycle carrier having a support mast,an elongate support member extending from the support mast, and a cradledisposed along the elongate support member. The cradle is for receivinga fork crown of a bicycle. The cradle includes a first hook memberextending angularly relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongatesupport member and a second hook member extending angularly relative toa longitudinal axis of the elongate support member. The first hookmember and the second hook member are spaced-apart so as to allow thefork crown to be received by the cradle. A head tube of the bicycle isdisposed between the first hook member and the second hook member. Thefirst hook member and the second hook member are disposed between forktubes of the bicycle. The first hook member and the second hook membermay each extend at an angle of 45 degrees relative to the longitudinalaxis of the support member. The first hook member and the second hookmember may be substantially J-hook shaped hook members. The cradle mayfurther include a T-shaped member. The first hook member and the secondhook member may extend from opposite ends of a crossbar of the T-shapedmember.

There is also provided a bicycle carrier for receiving a fork crown of abicycle. The bicycle carrier includes a support mast and a hitchattachment bar extending from the support mast. A first elongate supportmember extends generally perpendicularly from the support mast. A secondelongate support member is connected to the support mast and extendssubstantially parallel to the first elongate support member. A cradle isdisposed along the first elongate support member. The cradle is forreceiving a fork crown of a bicycle. The cradle includes a first hookmember extending angularly relative to a longitudinal axis of theelongate support member and a second hook member extending angularlyrelative to a longitudinal axis of the elongate support member. Thefirst hook member and the second hook member are spaced-apart so as toallow the fork crown to be received by the cradle. A head tube of thebicycle is disposed between the first hook member and the second hookmember. The first hook member and the second hook member are disposedbetween fork tubes of the bicycle. There is also a means for securing awheel of said bicycle to the bicycle carrier disposed along the secondelongate support member.

The first hook member and the second hook member may each extend at anangle of 45 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the supportmember. The first hook member and the second hook member may besubstantially J-hook shaped hook members. The cradle may further includea T-shaped member. The first hook member and the second hook member mayextend from opposite ends of a crossbar of the T-shaped member. Thesecond elongate support member may be a substantially U-shaped supportmember extends generally perpendicularly from the support mast andgenerally parallel to the elongate support member. The U-shaped supportmember is disposed between the hitch attachment bar and the elongatesupport member. The U-shaped member is positioned and configured tostabilize a rear wheel of the bicycle by functioning as a wheel chock toprevent the rear wheel from riding over the U-shaped member.

There is further provided a bicycle carrier having a support mast, anelongate support member extending from the support mast, and a cradledisposed along the elongate support member. The cradle is for receivinga handlebar of a bicycle. The cradle includes a first hook memberextending angularly relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongatesupport member and a second hook member extending angularly relative toa longitudinal axis of the elongate support member. The first hookmember and the second hook member are spaced-apart so as to allow thehandlebar to be received by the cradle. A handle bar stem of the bicycleis disposed between the first hook member and the second hook member.The first hook member and the second hook member are disposed betweenfork tubes of the bicycle. The first hook member and the second hookmember may each extend at an angle of 45 degrees relative to thelongitudinal axis of the support member. The first hook member and thesecond hook member may be substantially J-hook shaped hook members. Thecradle may further include a T-shaped member. The first hook member andthe second hook member may extend from opposite ends of a crossbar ofthe T-shaped member.

The bicycle carrier disclosed herein may be used to transport, byvehicle, any bicycle with a front fork, encompassing virtually all knownbicycle designs. The carrier design allows the quick and convenientloading and unloading of bicycles, without the need to remove anybicycle to access another. Furthermore the design provides an efficientway to carry as many bicycles as possible, in as little space aspossible, by turning the handlebars, thereby preventing interference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF DRAWINGS

The invention will be more readily understood from the followingdescription of the embodiments thereof given, by way of example only,with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an end of a vehicle with a firstembodiment of an improved bicycle carrier having a bicycle mountedthereon;

FIG. 2 is a perspective side view of the bicycle carrier of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective side view of an upper bar and fork crown cradleof the bicycle carrier of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective top view showing the fork crown cradle of thebicycle carrier of FIG. 1 engaging a fork crown of the bicycle;

FIG. 5 is a perspective side view showing the fork crown cradle of thebicycle carrier of FIG. 1 engaging the fork crown of the bicycle;

FIG. 6 is a side view showing the bicycle carrier of FIG. 1 with twobicycles mounted thereon in close proximity;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side view showing a bicycle rear wheel securedto a rear wheel stabilizer bar of the bicycle carrier of FIG. 1 by aJ-hook and knob device;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an improvedbicycle carrier;

FIG. 9 is a perspective top view of an upper bar and fork crown cradlesof the bicycle carrier of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective side view of the upper bar and fork crowncradles of the bicycle carrier of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a perspective end view the upper bar and a single fork crowncradle of the bicycle carrier of FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a perspective side view of a third embodiment of an improvedbicycle carrier;

FIG. 13 is a top view of an upper bar and fork crown cradles of thebicycle carrier of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a side view of the upper bar and fork crown cradles of thebicycle carrier of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is an end view the upper bar and a single fork crown cradle ofthe bicycle carrier of FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary top view showing the fork crown cradle of thebicycle carrier of FIG. 12 engaging a fork crown of the bicycle;

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary side view showing the fork crown cradle of thebicycle carrier of FIG. 12 engaging the fork crown of the bicycle;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the bicycle carrier of FIG. 12 with abicycle mounted thereon;

FIG. 19 is another perspective view of the bicycle carrier of FIG. 12with a bicycle mounted thereon;

FIG. 20 is a top view of an upper bar and fork crown cradles of a fourthembodiment of an improved the bicycle carrier;

FIG. 21 is a perspective side view of the upper bar and fork crowncradles of the fourth embodiment of the improved bicycle carrier;

FIG. 22 is a perspective side view of a fifth embodiment of an improvedbicycle carrier;

FIG. 23 is a top view of an upper bar and fork crown cradles of thebicycle carrier of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a side view of the upper bar and fork crown cradles of thebicycle carrier of FIG. 22;

FIG. 25 is a front elevation view of the bicycle carrier of FIG. 22 witha bicycle mounted thereon;

FIG. 26 is a fragmentary top view showing the fork crown cradle of thebicycle carrier of FIG. 22 engaging a fork crown of the bicycle;

FIG. 27 is another front elevation view of the bicycle carrier of FIG.22 with a bicycle mounted thereon;

FIG. 27 is a fragmentary top view showing the fork crown cradle of thebicycle carrier of FIG. 22 engaging a handlebar crown of the bicycle;

FIG. 29 is a perspective side view of a sixth embodiment of an improvedbicycle carrier;

FIG. 30 is a side view of the upper bar and fork crown cradles of thebicycle carrier of FIG. 29; and

FIG. 31 is an enlarged perspective view of a fork crown cradles of thebicycle carrier of FIG. 29.

DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to drawings and first to FIG. 1, there is shown a firstembodiment of an improved bicycle carrier 100. The bicycle carrier 100is mounted on a rear of a vehicle 102 for the convenient transport of atleast one bicycle 104. In this example, the bicycle carrier 100 isattached to the vehicle 102 through hitch structure 106 which is mountedto vehicle 102. The bicycle 104 is releasably secured to bicycle carrier100 for transport by the vehicle 102 and subsequent removal and use at adesired destination.

FIG. 2 shows the bicycle carrier 100 in greater detail. The bicyclecarrier 100 has a first elongate support member in the form of ahorizontal upper bar 108 with a plurality of fork crown cradles 110 a,110 b and 110 c disposed thereon. The fork crown cradles aresubstantially similar in structure and function. Accordingly, only oneof the of the fork crown cradles 110 a is described in detail hereinwith the understanding that the other fork crown cradles 110 b and 110 chave a similar structure and function in a similar manner. The forkcrown cradle 110 a is shown in greater detail in FIG. 3 and is providedwith four tines 112, 114, 116 and 118 which are rods in this example.The tines are approximately five inches in length, paired and arrangedin two V-shaped structures 120 and 122, with a V angle of approximatelyseventy degrees. The V-shaped structures 120 and 122 are spacedapproximately four inches apart. Arms 124, 126, 128 and 130 each definea top half of a corresponding tine 112, 114, 116 and 118. The arms areparallel to each other. Each of the tines also has a corresponding freedistal end 132, 134, 136 and 138. The fork crown cradle 110 a can be setat an angle between zero and ninety degrees with respect to alongitudinal axis 10 of the horizontal upper bar 108.

In this example, the fork crown cradles 110 a, 110 b and 110 c are setat an angle of approximately forty-five degrees from the longitudinalaxis 10 of the horizontal upper bar 108. Each fork crown cradle 110 a,110 b and 110 c is also spaced at a distance from an adjacent fork crowncradle 110 a, 110 b and 110 c to allow the closest possible proximitybetween bicycles, about seven inches in this example. The horizontalupper bar 108, best shown in FIG. 2, is attached to vertical supportmast 140, and the lowermost end of vertical support mast 140 is affixedto a hitch attachment bar 142. The hitch attachment bar 142 is simplyslid into the receiver style vehicle hitch structure 106, therebypositioning horizontal upper bar 108 at an approximate right angle tothe bumper of vehicle 102 as shown in FIG. 1. In other embodiments,other means of attaching bicycle carrier 100 to the vehicle 102 may beemployed, for example, use of a strap system (possibly in combinationwith hooks) or by connecting bicycle carrier 100 to a roof mount.

Referring back to FIG. 2, at a point on vertical support mast 140located approximately one bicycle wheelbase length down from horizontalupper bar 108, is a second elongate support member in the form of a rearwheel horizontal stabilizer bar 144. In this example, the rear wheelhorizontal stabilizer bar 144 is offset from the horizontal upper bar108 approximately one half of a bicycle wheel diameter by a stabilizeroffset tube 146. J-hook and knob devices 148 a, 148 b and 148 c arespaced-apart approximately equidistantly on rear wheel stabilizer bar144 and centered with respect to fork crown cradles 110 a, 110 b and 110c on the horizontal upper bar 108. The J-hook and knob devices 148 a,148 b and 148 c are simply hooks with threads and a knob on thenon-hooked end, which pass through holes in the rear wheel stabilizerbar 144, and are used to secure a bicycle rear wheel 147, as best shownin FIG. 7 for device 148 c.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 show the fork crown cradle 110 a engaging or receivinga bicycle fork crown 150 and bicycle head tube 152. The fork crown 150extends between the two V-shaped structures 120 and 122. A portion ofthe fork crown 150 adjacent a first bicycle fork tube 154 is receivedbetween a first one of the V-shaped structures 120. A portion of thefork crown 150 adjacent a second bicycle fork tube 156 is receivedbetween a second one of the V-shaped structures 122. The bicycle forktubes 154 and 156 are disposed outside the fork crown cradle 110 a. Thehead tube 152 extends outwardly from the fork crown cradle between thetwo V-shaped structures 120 and 122.

FIG. 6 shows the close mounting of adjacent bicycles 104 and 158facilitated by the fork crown cradles 110 b and 110 c each being set atan angle of approximately forty-five degrees from the horizontal upperbar 108. This angle inherently turns the bicycle fork and morespecifically the handlebars 160 and 162 to approximately the same angle,thereby eliminating interference with another bicycle's handlebars,mounted to an adjacent fork crown cradle.

FIG. 7 shows how the rear wheel 147 of a bicycle is secured against therear wheel stabilizer bar 144 by a J-hook and knob device 148 c. TheJ-hook and knob device 148 c consist of a hooked metal rod 149 mountedthrough a hole in the rear wheel stabilizer bar 144. The straight end151 is threaded with a knob 153 attached. The rear wheel 147 of thebicycle is simply hooked by the J-hook and tightened against the rearwheel stabilizer bar 144 by the knob.

A second embodiment of an improved bicycle carrier 200 is shown in FIGS.8 to 11. As shown in FIG. 8, the second embodiment of the bicyclecarrier 200 has an upper horizontal bar 208 with a plurality of forkcrown cradles 210 a, 210 b, 210 c and 210 d disposed thereon. The forkcrown cradles are substantially similar in structure and function.Accordingly, only one of the of the fork crown cradles 210 a isdescribed in detail herein with the understanding that the other forkcrown cradles 210 b, 210 c and 210 d have a similar structure andfunction in a similar manner. The fork crown cradle 210 a is shown ingreater detail in FIG. 11 and is provided with two pairs 220 and 222 oftines which are rods in this example. An inside pair 220 of tines formsa U-shaped base 264 with arms 266 and 268 extending outwardly therefrom.The U-shaped base is connected to an attachment member 270 such that alower arm 266 of the inside pair 220 of tines is at an approximateforty-five degree angle to the horizontal upper bar 208.

An outside pair 222 of the tines forms a U-shaped base 272 with arms 274and 276 extending angularly therefrom. The arms 274 and 276 of theoutside pair 222 of tines are positioned adjacent to, but outside thearms 266 and 268 of the inside pair 220 of tines. The U-shaped base 272of the outside pair 222 of tines is secured to the lower arm 266 of theinside pair 220 of tines. Each of the arms 266, 268, 274 and 276 of thefork crown cradle 210 a has a corresponding free distal end 232, 234,236 and 238. The fork crown cradle 210 a, of the second embodiment ofthe bicycle carrier 200, engages or receives a fork crown in asubstantially similar manner as fork crown cradle 110 a, of the firstembodiment 100 of the bicycle carrier 100, and is compatible with moststyles of bicycle forks. However, the fork crown cradle of the secondembodiment of the bicycle carrier may be simpler to manufacture than thefork crown of the first embodiment of the bicycle carrier.

Referring back to FIG. 8, the second embodiment of the bicycle carrier200 also has a generally U-shaped support member 278 which extendshorizontally, i.e. perpendicularly, from a vertical support mast 240 andis connected to the support mast 240 at two points 241 and 243. Thesupport member 278, when in use, prevents a rear wheel of a bicycle fromriding up and over upper horizontal bar 208 thereby preventing thebicycle from moving upwards and off fork crown cradles tines 210 a, 210b, 210 c and 210 d. An upper horizontal bar 280 of support member 278functions in a similar manner as a wheel chock. A tie may also be usedto secure a rear wheel of a bicycle to the support member 278. There isalso a hitch attachment bar 242 to allow the bicycle carrier to bemounted on a vehicle.

A third embodiment of an improved bicycle carrier 300 is shown in FIGS.12 to 19. As shown in FIG. 12, the third embodiment of the bicyclecarrier 300 has a first elongate support member in the form of an upperhorizontal bar 308 with a plurality of fork crown cradles 310 a, 310 b,310 c and 310 d disposed thereon. The fork crown cradles aresubstantially similar in structure and function. Accordingly, only oneof the fork crown cradles 310 a is described in detail herein with theunderstanding that the other fork crown cradles 310 b, 310 c and 310 dhave a similar structure and function in a similar manner. As best shownin FIG. 14, the fork crown cradle 310 a is connected to the upperhorizontal bar 308 by an attachment member 370. The attachment member370 has a sloped edge 382 which extends at angle α₁ relative to theupper horizontal bar 308. In this example, the angle α₁ is forty-fivedegrees. The fork crown cradle 310 a is mounted on the sloped edge of382 of the attachment member 370 and is accordingly angled relative tothe upper horizontal bar at an angle α₂ which, in this example, wouldalso be forty-five degrees. In other examples angles α₁ and α₂ may beany suitable or desired angles.

The fork crown cradle 310 a is shown in greater detail in FIG. 15 and isprovided with three tines 384, 386 and 388 which are rods in thisexample and extend away from the horizontal upper bar 308. Two of thetines 384 and 386 extend from opposite ends of mounting rod 390 which issecured to the attachment member 370. Together the mounting rod 390 andthe pair of tines 384 and 386 form a generally U-shaped structure 320 asbest shown in FIG. 14. Referring back to FIG. 15, the tines 384 and 386each includes a corresponding generally curved portion 392 and 394. Thecurved portions are disposed along the mounting rod 390 and extendbetween the mounting rod 390 and corresponding parallel arms 396 and 398of each of the tines 384 and 386. The curved portions form a cradle toreceive a bicycle fork as will be discussed in greater detail below. Thethird tine 388 is disposed between the pair of tines 384 and 386 andextends from the mounting rod 390 angularly away from the pair of tines384 and 386. In this example, the third tine 388 is a straight rod. Eachof the tines has a corresponding distal free end 332, 334 and 336.

FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 show the fork crown cradle 310 a engaging orreceiving a bicycle fork crown 350 and bicycle head tube 352. The forkcrown 350 is disposed between the pair of tines 384 and 386 and thethird tine 388, i.e. the pair of tines are on an opposite side of thefork crown from the third tine. The head tube 352 extends outwardly fromthe fork crown cradle 350 between the pair of tines 384 and 386. Bicyclefork tubes 354 and 356 are disposed on opposite sides of the third tine388. In this example, since the fork crown cradle 310 a is set at anangle of approximately forty-five degrees relative to the upperhorizontal bar 308, the fork crown 350 will inherently turnapproximately forty-five degrees. More importantly, as shown in FIG. 18and FIG. 19, the handlebars 362 of a mounted bicycle 358 will alsoinherently turn approximately forty-five degrees from their centerpositions, thereby eliminating interference with another bicycle'shandlebars (not shown) mounted on an adjacent fork crown cradle.

Referring back to FIG. 12, the third embodiment of the bicycle carrier300 also has a pair of generally U-shaped support members 378 a and 378b which extend horizontally, i.e. perpendicularly, from opposite sidesof a vertical support mast 340. Each of the U-shaped support members 378a and 378 b is connected to an opposite side of the support mast 340 attwo points. The support members 378 a and 378 b, when in use, prevent arear wheel of a bicycle from riding up and over upper horizontal bar308, thereby preventing the bicycle from moving upwards and off of forkcrown cradles 310 a, 310 b, 310 c and 310 d. Upper horizontal bars 380 aand 380 b of support members 378 a and 378 b function in a similarmanner as a wheel chock. This is best shown in FIG. 18 and FIG. 19. Atie (not shown) may also be used to secure the rear wheel 347 of thebicycle 358 to one of the support member 378 a. Alternatively, the rearwheel 347 may be secured to the other one of the support members 378 b.

The third embodiment of the bicycle carrier 300 is also provided with ahitch attachment bar 342, shown in FIG. 18, to allow the bicycle carrierto be mounted on a vehicle. However, in the embodiment of FIG. 18, alink 343 connects the hitch attachment bar 342 to the support mast 340.In this example, the link 343 is pivotably connected to both the supportmast 340. This allows the support mast 340 to extend at varying anglesrelative to the hitch attachment bar. In other examples, the link 343may be pivotably connected to the attachment bar 342 or to both thesupport mast 340 and attachment bar 342.

A fourth embodiment of an improved bicycle carrier 400 is shown in FIG.20 and FIG. 21. The fourth embodiment of the bicycle carrier 400 isidentical in structure and function to the third embodiment 300 of thebicycle carrier with the exception that in the fourth embodiment of thebicycle carrier the third tine 488 is a planar member or plate.

A fifth embodiment of an improved bicycle carrier 500 is shown in FIGS.22 to 28. As shown in FIG. 22, the fifth embodiment of the bicyclecarrier 500 has a first elongate support member in the form of an upperhorizontal bar 508 with a plurality of fork crown cradles 510 a, 510 b,510 c and 510 d disposed thereon. The fork crown cradles aresubstantially similar in structure and function. Accordingly, only oneof the fork crown cradles 510 d is described in detail herein with theunderstanding that the other fork crown cradles 510 a, 510 b and 510 chave a similar structure and function in a similar manner. As best shownin FIGS. 23 and 24, the fork crown cradle 510 d includes a pair hookmembers which, in this example, are a pair of spaced-apart substantiallyJ-hook shaped members 512 and 514. The J-hook shaped members 512 and 514extend angularly from the upper horizontal bar member 508 and areoblique relative to a longitudinal axis 516 of the upper horizontal barmember. In this example, the J-hook shaped members 512 and 514 extend atan angle of approximately forty-five degrees relative the longitudinalaxis 516 of the upper horizontal bar member 508 as shown by angle α₃ inFIG. 24 for one of the J-shaped members 512 of the fork crown cradle 510d. In other examples angle α₃ may be any suitable or desired angle.

FIGS. 25 and 26 show the fork crown cradle 510 d engaging or receiving abicycle crown fork 550 and a bicycle head tube 552. FIG. 27 best showshow the fork crown 550 is received by fork crown cradle 510 d. The headtube 552 extends outwardly from the fork crown cradle 510 d between theJ-hooked shaped members 512 and 514 while the J-hooked shaped members512 and 514 are disposed between the fork tubes 554 and 556. In thisexample, since the fork crown cradle 510 d is set at an angle ofapproximately forty-five degrees relative to the upper horizontal bar508, the fork crown 550 will inherently turn approximately forty-fivedegrees. More importantly, as best shown in FIG. 25, the handlebars 562of a mounted bicycle 558 will also inherently turn approximatelyforty-five degrees from their center positions, thereby eliminatinginterference with another bicycle's handlebars (not shown) mounted on anadjacent fork crown cradle. The fork crown cradle 510 d may also receivethe handlebars 562 of the mounted bicycle 558 as shown in FIGS. 27 and28. A handle bar stem 563 extends outwardly from the fork crown cradlebetween the J-hooked shaped members 512 and 514 when the fork crowncradle 510 d receives the handlebars 562. This also causes thehandlebars 562 of the mounted bicycle 558 to inherently turnapproximately forty-five degrees from their center positions, therebyeliminating interference with another bicycle's handlebars (not shown)mounted on an adjacent fork crown cradle.

Referring back to FIG. 22, the fifth embodiment of the bicycle carrier500 also has a second elongate support member in the form of a pair ofgenerally U-shaped support members 578 a and 578 b which extendhorizontally, i.e. perpendicularly, from opposite sides of a verticalsupport mast 540. Each of the U-shaped support members 578 a and 578 bis connected to an opposite side of the support mast 540 at two points.The support members 578 a and 578 b, when in use, prevent a rear wheelof a bicycle from riding up and over upper horizontal bar 508, therebypreventing the bicycle from moving upwards and off of fork crown cradles510 a, 510 b, 510 c and 510 d. Upper horizontal bars 580 a and 580 b ofsupport members 578 a and 578 b function in a similar manner as a wheelchock. A link 543 connects a hitch attachment bar 542 to the verticalsupport mast 540. In this example, the link 543 is pivotably connectedto both the support mast 540. This allows the support mast 540 to extendat varying angles relative to the hitch attachment bar 542. In otherexamples, the link 543 may be pivotably connected to the hitchattachment bar 542 or to both the support mast 540 and attachment bar542.

A sixth embodiment of an improved bicycle carrier 600 is shown in FIGS.29 to 31. The sixth embodiment of the bicycle carrier 600 is identicalin structure and function to the fifth embodiment of the bicycle carrier500 with the exception that in the sixth embodiment of the bicyclecarrier 600 the fork crown cradles 610 a, 610 b, 610 c and 610 d have adifferent structure. The fork crown cradles of the sixth embodiment ofthe bicycle carrier are substantially similar in structure and function.Accordingly, only one of the fork crown cradle 610 a is described indetail herein with understanding that the other fork crown cradles 610b, 610 c and 610 d have a similar structure and function in a similarmanner. The fork crown cradle 610 a includes a T-shaped member 611 whichextends angularly from the upper horizontal bar member 608 and isoblique relative to a longitudinal axis 616 of the upper horizontal barmember. In this example, T-shaped member 611 extends at an angle ofapproximately forty-five degrees relative the longitudinal axis 616 ofthe upper horizontal bar member 608 as shown in FIG. 30 by angle α₄ forT-shaped member 611 of the fork crown cradle 610 a. In other examplesangle α₄ may be any suitable or desired angle.

The fork crown cradle 610 a further includes hooks 613 and 615 which aredisposed at opposite ends of a cross-bar 617 of the T-shaped member 611.The fork crown cradle 610 a receives a fork crown of a mounted bicyclesuch that a head tube extends outwardly from the fork crown cradle 610 abetween the hooks 613 and 615 while the hooks are disposed between thefork tubes. This is similar as described and shown above for the fifthembodiment of the bicycle carrier 500.

It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that the terms“upper”, “lower”, “horizontal” and “vertical” as used herein are used inrelation to the orientation of the bicycle carrier as shown in thedrawings.

It will be further understood by a person skilled in the art that manyof the details provided above are by way of example only, and are notintended to limit the scope of the invention which is to be determinedwith reference to following claims.

I claim:
 1. A bicycle carrier having a support mast, an elongate supportmember extending from the support mast and a cradle disposed along theelongate support member, the cradle being for receiving a fork crown ofa bicycle and the cradle comprising: a first hook member extendingangularly relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongate supportmember; and a second hook member extending angularly relative to alongitudinal axis of the elongate support member, wherein the first hookmember and the second hook member are spaced-apart so as to allow thefork crown to be received by the cradle, whereby a head tube of thebicycle is disposed between the first hook member and the second hookmember, and the first hook member and the second hook member aredisposed between fork tubes of the bicycle.
 2. The bicycle carrier asclaimed in claim 1 wherein the first hook member and the second hookmember each extend at an angle of 45 degrees relative to thelongitudinal axis of the support member.
 3. The bicycle carrier asclaimed in claim 1 wherein the first hook member and the second hookmember are substantially J-hook shaped hook members.
 4. The bicyclecarrier as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cradle further includes aT-shaped member, and the first hook member and the second hook memberextend from opposite ends of a crossbar of the T-shaped member.
 5. Abicycle carrier for receiving a fork crown of a bicycle, the bicyclecarrier comprising: a support mast; a hitch attachment bar extendingfrom the support mast; a first elongate support member extendinggenerally perpendicularly from the support mast; a second elongatesupport member connected to the support mast and extending substantiallyparallel to the first elongate support member; a cradle disposed alongthe first elongate support member, the cradle including a first hookmember extending angularly relative to a longitudinal axis of theelongate support member and a second hook member extending angularlyrelative to a longitudinal axis of the elongate support member, thefirst hook member and the second hook member being spaced-apart so as toallow the fork crown to be received by the cradle, whereby a head tubeof the bicycle is disposed between the first hook member and the secondhook member, and the first hook member and the second hook member aredisposed between fork tubes of the bicycle; means for securing a wheelof said bicycle to the bicycle carrier, said means being disposed alongthe second elongate support member.
 6. The bicycle carrier as claimed inclaim 5 wherein the first hook member and the second hook member eachextend at an angle of 45 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis ofthe support member.
 7. The bicycle carrier as claimed in claim 5 whereinthe first hook member and the second hook member are substantiallyJ-hook shaped hook members.
 8. The bicycle carrier as claimed in claim 5wherein the cradle further includes a T-shaped member, and the firsthook member and the second hook member extend from opposite ends of acrossbar of the T-shaped member.
 9. A bicycle carrier as claimed inclaim 5 wherein the second support member is a substantially asubstantially U-shaped support member extending generallyperpendicularly from the support mast and generally parallel to theelongate support member, the U-shaped support member being disposedbetween the hitch attachment bar and the elongate support member, andthe U-shaped member being positioned and configured to stabilize a rearwheel of the bicycle by functioning as a wheel chock to prevent the rearwheel from riding over the U-shaped member.
 10. A bicycle carrier havinga support mast, an elongate support member extending from the supportmast and a cradle disposed along the elongate support member, the cradlebeing for receiving a handlebar of a bicycle and the cradle comprising:a first hook member extending angularly relative to a longitudinal axisof the elongate support member; and a second hook member extendingangularly relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongate supportmember, wherein the first hook member and the second hook member arespaced-apart so as to allow the handlebar to be received by the cradle,whereby a handle bar stem of the bicycle is disposed between the firsthook member and the second hook member.
 11. The bicycle carrier asclaimed in claim 10 wherein the first hook member and the second hookmember each extend at an angle of 45 degrees relative to thelongitudinal axis of the support member.
 12. The bicycle carrier asclaimed in claim 10 wherein the first hook member and the second hookmember are substantially J-hook shaped hook members.
 13. The bicyclecarrier as claimed in claim 10 wherein the cradle further includes aT-shaped member, and the first hook member and the second hook memberextend from opposite ends of a crossbar of the T-shaped member.